In what is likely to be one of his last speeches in the House of Commons before he retires in May, Sir John Stanley, MP for Tonbridge and Malling, has spoken up for the rights of the electorate to be given a General Election whenever a Government loses the confidence of a majority of MPs.

Traditionally, the Prime Minister could call a General Election at any time during the following five years, but a new bill, fixing Parliament to a fixed five-year term, was introduced following the last election and the formation of a coalition Government.

Although many MPs thought the bill was necessary at the time, they have now realised that it means if a future Government is formed that subsequently loses the support of the majority of MPs, it will not be obliged to call an election.

The Fixed Term Bill says an election can only be called within the five-year term if two thirds of MPs vote for a dissolution, or if the Commons passes a vote of no confidence in one Government, but fails to pass a vote of confidence in an alternative one within a fortnight.

It leaves the way open for all sorts of back-room deals between the many parties likely to be represented in the next Parliament, without reference to the public.

Speaking in a debate seeking to repeal the bill, Sir John said: “The crucial democratic principle must be that the day when an elected Government loses the confidence of this House, by however small a majority, is the day when it is for the British people and the British people alone to decide the future Government in a General Election.”

The Minister of State for the Cabinet Office, Jo Johnson, managed to keep the debate going long enough so that the repeal bill introduced by back-bench MP Sir Alan Duncan did not get to a vote.

The debate is due to resume on Friday.

Sir John said: “The question of whether a General Election inescapably follows when the Government of the day loses the confidence of the House of Commons is a key democratic and constitutional issue for every elector in Tonbridge and Malling - and indeed in the UK.

“I am very disappointed that the Minister talked the bill out.”